New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-30


trnted. svo pp 4I6-5l New.York: The War
Publishing Company.
The story of the Andrews Railroad Raid must
always be one of the most picturesque, thrilling
and moving episodes OF the lebelliOn, and though
the facts were made public many years ago by
the auth OF the work before us, this exhaustive
revised and expanded narrative will be received
with the hearty welcome it deserves. Daring and
Suffering. is indeed a remarkable book. not only
for its matter, but for the manner of its recital
1t deserves TO take its place with the most notable
histories Of Imprisonment and escape In the
interest of the narrative it compares favorably will
Casanova. TrenclS, Silvio Pellco And there is
this unique point in it; that the stories
of the several groups of fugitives, though told in
their own language, and though that language is
the vcrnacular of an average set of private
soldiers possess a distinct literary value, and
are marked by a style homely, simple, perspicuous,
direct; in short model style for the purpose,
and one which recalls that of Defoe in It's realism
and its effective plainness.
The Andrews Railroad Raid appeals to the
imagination in many ways. In conception it was
go audacious as to approach magnifcence. lts
execution so far as it went. was not less bold
and mastery It's failure was due mainly to
causes beyond the control of the projectors, and
which, by changing the conditions between con-
ception and execution, made success lmpoSsipie
Added to these cXtraneous causes was Tue III
calculabIc and altogether surprising energy anu
sagacity of the pursuit organized by Cohuuc,oi
Fuller and Master Mechanic Murphy, OF une
Georgia state Railroads for ii is quite creuioie
that lal these Two incn not been a. 81. Slahty
when Andrews and his party seized the tram
the extraordinary daring of the deed ana the
swiftness with which it was accomplished, would
a. r; IN piv
time for the destruction of one at least of the
bridges; and that would have insured the escape
of the raiders The plan of Andrews was sound.
notwithstanding its audacity, and II missed sue
cess so narrowly as quite TO vindicate the pract-
cability of the scheme. Andrews himself was I'M
doubtcdly man of fine parts. In person he was
handsome and dignifed in manners fascinating
The only thing in his career which is hard 10
essimilate with what Is known OF his character
is his willingness to play the part OF spy
Almost involuntarily we associate WIN that roe
men Of shifty and trcacherous character, though
by no means always justly. In civil life there are
found LAWYERS who have made their reputation
by defending criminals, yet whose personal char
actcrs are above reproach Andrews was man
nj nnusual cultivation ana refinement, yet he did
not shrink from an occupation which not only
exposed him to animadversion, but to the danger |
of a shameful death Mr.. Pittengcr gives, how |
ever some ms ght to his real character IN relating
that after the war he visited the town "here |
Andrews had long lived, and he seems rather |
surprised to find that all the Union spy oio
friends and neighbors spoke of him as man |
always 10 be depended upon. whose word was
his bond and who inspired and justified the most |
absolute trust in his integrity. 1t is evident tha'
with this fundamental loyalty the basis OF
\ r,rafs ffSf IN
for he had been passing TO and fro betw'xn tho
North and South for months before the RAILROAD
raid. and had completely gained the confiden'N OF
the Southern people whose movements he watched
and reported
This man conceived the idea of making boId
dash with a small party into tie heart OF the
South. CAPTURING n train tearing up tracks and
burning bridges in wild race back TO the North.
He persuaded General Buell. in March, 1862, TO
try the experiment with eight men. Andrews at
that time depended ON friendly engineer on the
Georgia State Railroad who was to deliver over
his engine But the day before the tram was 10
be seized this engineer transferred to
distant line and as Andrews had brought no
engineer with him. the expedition came To nothing
Fortunately all the members OF 1t made their WHY ,
hack 10 the Union lines safely, ana the secret
MAS kept In April Andrews organized announcer
..id This - the ,I. OF which the detai.cd hls'Oy
has bocn written by Mr.. Pittcnger 1t was on
lorcer scale twcnty.four rlen being enlisted i'll 1T
II WAS more carefully planned Two cA-
perienced engineers being members OF II
rbc mon were all volunteers from General
Alitches division, and fine set OF fellows III III
brave COOL keen wittcd and capable |
~ ANYTHING. The story of their journey into the
Soutb. O, their meeting in Andrews's bedroom on
of
turc of the train at Big Shanty. while the
conductor. engineer fireman and passengers were
of breakfast is more interesting than any novel |
md there is nothing in fiction 10 surpass the
narrative of the subsequent fight and pursuit |
They dar;cd out OF the depot like an arrow, but
soon the speed began TO slaclIen and then the
train came almost TO stop. They discovered that
the hampers had been shut when the station
was reached. and they had forgot TO open them
in the excitement OF the moment. They were
much embarrassed by the want Of proper tools to
tear up the track with, and this and frequent
cutting OF the wires delayed them linen they found
that there were extra trains ahead, in consc-
ouencc OF General Mitchers raid on Huntsville,
and this was an unexpected addition 10 their
difficulties, holding them at stations until the
pursuers were at one time only I'VE minutes
behind them.
The pursuit was most determined. When Con- |
ductOr Fuller found his train gone he and Murphy
raised a laugh by starting ont TO pursue 1T on
foot 1t seemed foolish but had great results y
run of a couple Of miles brought them to n |
hand car. and on this they were able TO make |
twenty miles, and that brought them to spare
engine. which they mounted and turned III swift !
pursuit of the fugitivcs. The latter had not been
,blc thoroughly 10 tear up the rails ms 10
block the track efectually, and after a most
exciting chase Of many hours Fuller and his
followers came in sight of Andrews and the
captured train. Then ensued a wonderful race.
The raiders were being chased 30 holly that they
could not stop to burn any bridges. All they
could do was to throw ties upon the track behind